Wordless Wednesday

Running out of time to sell those pumpkins!

Macro Monday

I had fun playing with my macro lens. Today is supposed to be the last nice day for awhile here in central MN so I had to take advantage of it. Sometimes the prettiest shots are of Autumn flowers.

 

Alternative Halloween Treats

Having a daughter that is eating gluten-free I was excited to see this list of gluten-free candy that Kierste of Simply+ Kiertse Blog put together. 

I've also been excited to find out about the teal pumpkin project:

"This Halloween, FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) is encouraging communities to start a new tradition that will help make this holiday season less scary for children with food allergies: the Teal Pumpkin Project. This campaign encourages people to raise awareness of food allergies by providing non-food treats for trick-or-treaters and painting a pumpkin teal - the color of food allergy awareness - to place in front of their house along with a free printable sign from FARE to indicate they have non-food treats available. 
The Teal Pumpkin Project is designed to promote safety, inclusion and respect of individuals managing food allergies – and to keep Halloween a fun, positive experience for all."

I think I will have both gluten-free candy and non-candy treats for the trick or treaters that come to my door. That way I hope to keep everyone happy! (including the grown-ups here who will put any left-over candy to good use ☺)

Wordless Wednesday

                                  Love to pick up these apples at the Farmer's Market.

Word Power for Babies

Jerry and I just got back from spending 5 days with our son and grandson. We helped watch little Jack while his mother was traveling for her job. We had so much fun seeing how much he has grown since we saw him in June. He amazed us with his growing vocabulary and the ability to recognize letters and numbers. (Jack is two.)

So it was really interesting for me to read an article in the October issue of Reader's Digest called "Word Power for Babies". The article stressed the importance of words--songs, nursery rhymes,books,chit chat and just everyday language. The article goes on to say that many low-income children are suffering from a lack of words. That in turn can be linked to poor school performance,difficulty learning to read and lower graduation rates. 

Conversely, a study done by researchers at Rice and Columbia University determined middle class and affluent children hear 30 more million words in their first three years than low income kids.That definitely is giving them a huge boost in learning!

Wow! I had not realized the importance of just talking to your baby/toddler. What we take for granted with Jack--reading books, singing songs,talking to him as we play is lacking in many families. The article does say that hearing words while watching tv or using an Ipad does not benefit children. It's not the same as interactive language with another person. 

The rest of the article tells about a program called the Parent-
Child Home Program (PCHP) in which literacy specialists make home visits to help parents and young children close the word gap. The Reader's Digest Foundation is awarding a $500,000 grant to PCHP to celebrate reading and improve literacy in children. 

To make a difference you can take a pledge to read to the children in your life. Then send a snapshot of yourself reading to your child/children to Reader's Digest. (You can find more details here.)

Wordless Wednesday

The Perfect Pose...

Decorating For Halloween

Do you decorate for Halloween? I used to do quite a bit but now that my kids are grown and gone, not so much. I do still decorate inside my home with a few pumpkins, ghosts and other assorted Halloween figures. Outside just a few pumpkins. Nothing like Kevin Judd--4 singing pumpkin faces, tombstones, hand carved pumpkins, strobes, floods and thousands of lights later, this is what his house looks like… Fun!

 

Easy DIY Halloween Nail Art

Oh yeah, it's time for some more nail art. After all Halloween is coming up quick! These look pretty simple to do and will add some fun to your nails.

 

 

Now off to find a costume to go with these nails!

Wordless Wednesday

Is anyone in there?

After the Rain

I had a little fun taking my macro lens out and shooting in my backyard after the rain stopped. It will probably be the last time I can use photograph my flowers--it's supposed to freeze tonight. So not happy about that!

 

I am Brave and Beautiful

I am Brave and Beautiful is a beauty movement that is sweeping the globe. Colbie Caillat started it with her recent song and video called TRY. Megan of Brassy Apple wanted to push this movement along and invited women from all over to share what they looked like without make up and I joined in!! Colbie’s song says, "Take your make up off. Let your hair down… Look into the mirror at yourself, Do you like you? Cause I like you… " 

 Megan and her friend Cobi of Peacefrom6pieces have been the team behind this whole project. Their worldwide vision included creating their own video inspired by the song TRY. The talent of Robbins Creative made it possible for them to pull it off. You have to click play and see the beauty and bravery displayed.



 

I, along with 101+ other blogging women from different backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, ages, shapes and sizes have decided to be Brave and Beautiful! You can join in this movement too by sharing what you look like without makeup on. You don’t need a blog either! Just tag your photo with #IamBraveAndBeautiful on Instgram and search the hashtag to see who else has joined in. ALSO, if you tag it with a second hashtag – #ColbieTRY we just might be able to get Colbie Caillat’s attention since she was the inspiration behind it all!

Tell your friends, your girlfriends, your sisters, your mom, your daughter(s)….When we share goodness it comes back to us in ways that we might not expect.

Are you brave and beautiful? I am, here I go!

 

 

My photography talent is NOT selfies!

 This really took a lot of self-talk to post these. I grew up with a mom that wore little make-up, my high school best friend 's mother didn't wear make-up and my college roommate never wore make-up. I had no role models! I did venture into a department store once to have a staff person there teach me some tricks. I ended up with way too much make-up on and leaving with a bunch of make-up I wouldn't use.

So the make-up I wear is all self-taught and self-bought. I used to look at other women with beautiful make-up and long to look like that. Now that I'm older (☺) I am more satisfied with my own make-up application but there are still times when I'm envious.

I know that deep down, I am beautiful inside and out. I know that  my Heavenly Father loves who I am and what I am striving to become (even at this late stage in my life).

 Are you brave and beautiful? (If you'd like you could also post your photos in the comment section here.)
 

35 Genius Life Hacks Everyone Should Know

The San Francisco Globe lists 35 Genius Life Hacks. I so enjoyed looking at these! I think my favorites are #2 and #30. I never would have thought of turning my toaster sideways! You've got to check these out. Then come back and tell us which ones are your favorites!
 

Wordless Wednesday

The city of LaCrosse looks a little surreal...

.